Just to make it easier to people to apply new passports, passport renewals or other DFA services, you can now go to the malls, alternative to DFA Consular Office near SM Mall of Asia or other regional offices.

UPDATED September 2013

DFA Consular Offices Passport Processing/Renewal/New Applications:

SM Megamall
7/F Building C, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
DFA Passport Appointment Online: http://megamall.passport.com.ph

Robinsons Galleria
DFA Passport Appointment Online: http://galleria.passport.com.ph

SM Manila (behind Manila City Hall)
DFA Passport Appointment Online: http://manila.passport.com.ph

Alabang Town Center (4/F)
10am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, (Saturday and Sunday?)
DFA-NCR South

Pacific Mall, Cebu
Robinsons Starmills, San Fernando, Pampanga
MarQuee Mall, Angeles City
DFA Legaspi Pacific Mall, Legazpi City, Albay


DFA Consular Offices Soon:

Metro Gaisano Alabang, Metro Manila
Robinsons Lipa, Batangas
Robinsons Bacolod,
Robinsons Dumaguete
Robinsons General Santos
SM Baguio
SM Davao

Operating Hours and Schedules: open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays.
Open half-days on Sundays for claiming of passports only

To schedule an appointment passport applications/renewal, applicants may log on to www.passport.com.ph or www.megamall.passport.com.ph or call (02) 737-1000 (DFA Hotline)

Passport fee: P950 for regular processing; P1,200 for expedited processing (rush passport). Either call DFA hotline for passport appointments or schedule one online

Related Posts


DFA Hotline
How to Apply Passport
How to Renew Philippine Passport

Labels: Philippine Passports

Here's a "spam" comment this blog received a couple of times last summer inviting Tutubi for a promo overnight stay at Canyon Cove Beach Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas. He was supposed to stay there for the planned company outing but was scrapped.

As a policy of this blog, it's really hard to steer clear and be tempted to just accept. As of the moment, there's no sponsored post nor paid reviews not freebies from hotels, resorts and restaurants.

To other bloggers, it's ok if you accept freebies and sponsored posts as long as you declare them, unlike some mainstream media writers and bloggers receiving payola part of a a misleading system :(

"Good day!
Im XX from Teletech Marketing Communication Inc.. We are the Marketing arm of Canyon Cove Beach Club Resort in Nasugbu Batangas. i want to invite you in our summer promotion..

TWO NIGHTS Complimentary overnight stay in a Superior room at the Canyon Cove, Nasugbu Batangas good for three person. It can also accommodate up to 6 adults or 4 adults and 4 children for an overnight stay in 2 superior room using those 2 complimentary certificate. FREE breakfast for two person and, (3) certificates in Pool Side Cabana or Cottage, (5) free day tour certificates and up to 30% discounts in their rooms, restaurants and sports facilities for only Php 7,500 (Summer Promo)...

You'll get a membership card that will last for in May 2013. The good thing about this is it's TRANSFERABLE, you can share it to your friends including the full package of benefits.


Canyon Cove Beach Club Resort Benefits:

I. ROOMS:
• Two (2) Complimentary certificates at a Superior Room with set breakfast good for two persons. Room is good for two adults with 2 children below 12 yrs of age OR 3 adults. Excess person or child is at P800 sharing the same room. Valid only from Sundays to Thursdays bookings.
• A 20% discount on room rates based on published rates during Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays. Membership card has to be presented upon check in to avail of the discount.
• A 30% discount on room rates based on published rates from Sundays to Thursdays check in excluding holidays. Membership card has to be presented upon check in to avail of the discount.

II. RESTAURANTS AND BANQUETS:
• A 20% discount on total food and beverage bill for 1 to 10 people dining. Membership card has to be presented.
• A 10% discount on total food and beverage bill for 10 and up number of persons dining.
• One (1) Complimentary certificate for a welcome drink for one person. Valid at the Resort’s restaurant. Limited to non-alcoholic drinks and one certificate per table.
• One (1) Complimentary certificate for a buffet lunch for one person, with a group of 5 persons dining. Valid on Saturdays and Sundays buffet lunch only.
• Two (2) Certificates for a P5,000 discount voucher to be used in any function bookings with a revenue of P75,000. One certificate per function and has to be surrendered prior to final arrangements and payments.

III. FACILITIES:
• Three (3) certificates for FREE use of Cabana for a Day Tour. Only one certificate may be used per visit.
• Five (5) certificates for complimentary Day Tour for one person. Can be used all at one given day.
• A 20% discount on Day Tour fees, valid for a maximum of 5 persons only. Day Tour fees at P800 per person which includes P300 food; beverage consumables at the restaurant.
• A 20% discount on Sports facilities and services.

I'm the one responsible for ur booking in the resort if ever..

XX XXXX
TELE TECH MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS INC."

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This is a revelation for Tutubi who was informed of this virtually unknown destination by his friened from France who came here on his invitation, and got wind of this place from Lonely Planet Philippines (which makes the overrated travel guide book quite useful in this case): The Mystical Island of Lamanoc, Anda, Bohol

Why is it mystical? Well, this place is a small island off the coast of Anda with ancient rock art in the form of red hematite paintings (the Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan, Rizal is another ancient cave art), ancient cave dwellings, tombs and burial grounds, prehistoric human settlement (prehistoric, in Philippine historical context does not mean dinosaurs) and mystic practices mostly involving chicken in the rituals (called manok or manok, thus the name)



Lamanoc Island (or Lamanok Island in some travel journals) has the Bakhawan Mangrove Forest of Anda as gateway where you board a very small outrigger boats (banca) for for only three persons from Lamanoc Point to the "enchanted island" about a kilometer away.

You can see one of the large wooden crosses (upper left of the photo) planted on the caves claimed by locals to drive away evil spirits

The first stop of the eco-tourism and historical tour is the ancient rock art in the form of red hematite paintings meaning ancient cave dwellers used tools made of rock and blood of animals on cave walls.

the most sought after tour guide on the island (meaning: only one) explaining how the place was discovered and the history of the place. Tutubi doubts though some historical claims as they don't really add up. Perhaps a more authoritative source like the National Museum can put everything in black and white as this tour guide inserts too much folk lore, superstitions and his own comments on the place.


Close up view of rock art which is very different from the famous cave art of Lascaux, France. No images of bison, horses and cattle, only abstract hand paints. Evidence of vandalism, looting (grave robbers), as always, are present

This prehistoric rock art is said to be evidence of Paleolitic era (Stone Age) civilization which can be found in this southern town of Bohol Island.

Coming up: Burial grounds and caves of Lamanoc Island

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Lamanoc Island Guide:

Entrance Fee: PhP180.00
Boat ride rental fees: PhP180.00
includes Tour guide fee already

How to get to Anda, Bohol:

from Tagbilaran Airport, you can already rent a van/car rental to take you there or ride a tricycle to the bus station to Anda. In Anda you need another tricycle to take you to Barangay Badiang. The easiest and leisurely way is to rent a motorbike/motorcycle in Tagbilaran to explore the island at your own pace.


Related Bohol Posts:
Tagbilaran Airport Guide
Bohol Van for rent,
Bohol White Beach

Labels: Art, Bohol, Caves, Central Visayas, Ecotourism

A missing piece of directions to the Philippine capital city: Manila

Manila City Hall is located on Burgos Avenue, where it connects to Taft Venue and near Liwasang Bonifacio, Post Office Building, Mehan Garden, Arrocerros Park, and SM City Manila (behind) and across Intramuros (side of Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM)) and (quite a) walking distance to Rizal Park and Manila Ocean Park.

In Manila City Hall, you can get cedula (community tax certificates), land registration, police clearance, attend court hearings (manila regional trial courts) or even analyze
the blown out picture of Jose Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan (now Luneta)

How to get to Manila City Hall (with it's iconic clock tower as identifiable landmark):

Map of Manila City Hall via OpenStreetMap, click here

How to commute to Manila City Hall:

Via LRT, the nearest is from LRT Central Terminal where you only need to walk to Manila City Hall. This is easiest from
Baclaran (or Cavite) from the south or Roosevelt/Munoz in Quezon City or Monumento in Caloocan City.

From Antipolo or Marikina, fastest is via LRT 2 Santolan Station, alight at Recto station then walk on the pedestrian bridgeway to transfer to LRT 1 Doroteo Jose station.

There are numerous jeepney routes passing here from Quezon City: Project 2/3, Project 6, Project 8, Cubao, Fairview. Even the jeepneys bound for Sta. Cruz and Quiapo pass by either to Dapitan or Dimasalang or Blumentritt. From Sampaloc, you can ride jeepneys to Taft Avenue, Kalaw, Remedios, Vito Cruz, Mabini, Herran, Buendia, Rotonda, Baclaran.

Driving Directions to Manila City Hall

From Quezon City, the easiest (but not the fastest) is via Quezon Avenue, all the way to Mabuhay Rotonda, Espana, Lerma, Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo), Quezon Bridge then pass Manila City Hall, make a U--turn over Lagusnilad Bridge then turn right to Manila City Hall to look for parking behind the government building or even at SM City Manila.

From Makati, it's easiest via Buendia then turn right to Taft Avenue until you see Manila City Hall (again, not the fastest)

Labels: How-to-Get-There

For those wishing to pay a visit Dolphy, since some of Tutubi's friends asked him how to get to Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig, he's, again, posting the information for those also looking for it

Click here for a street map of Heritage Park from OpenStreetMap
click here

How to Get to Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig, Metro Manila

From MRT Guadalupe Station, board a jeepney to take you there like those jeeps plying the Guadalupe- FTI route.

From Eastwood City on C-5 you can ride the Citiylink bus that will take you there. You can also take this bus from NAIA Terminal 3, Resorts World Manila or at the Sales Flyover (near Villamor Airbase and Fort Bonifacio gate 3)

Driving Directions to Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig, Metro Manila

From Quezon City it's best to just pass through C5 southbound all the way to the entrance gates of Herigate Park which is near Libingan ng mga Bayani and Bayani Road just before you reach SLEX.

There are lost of parking spaces there, no worries about parking fee/rate as it's a private memorial park.

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How to Get to Heritage Park, Taguig, Metro Manila
How to Commute to Heritage Park, Taguig, Metro Manila

Labels: How-to-Get-There

Just for the information of commuters to/from Rizal Province and areas served by shuttle/van/fx/gtexpress out of Starmall, EDSA, Crossing in Mandaluyong in front of SM Megamall and beside Highway 54

There are vans/fx/shuttle plying these routes:

Shuttle service, vans, fx terminal (aircon)

Starmall to Angono
Starmall to Lemery, Batangas
Starmall to Balibago, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Starmall to Morong, Rizal
Starmall to Tanay, Rizal

Jeepneys for those on a tight budget and willing to travel without air-conditioning:

Starmall to Cainta, Rizal
Starmall to Binangonan, Rizal
Starmall to Morong, Rizal
Starmall to Baras, Rizal

these are the same routes plying the EDSA Crossing (EDSA Central routes) that pass by Ortigas Avenue (to junction and Tikling) passing through Pasig and the Rizal towns of Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo City.

no information yet to trip schedules and fares as of posting time

Labels: Public Transportation

Thinking of Bohol Pasalubong before returning home? The town of Jagna, Bohol makes sweets enclosed in coconut shells similar to binagol of Leyte (bagol means shell thus binagol).

Tutubi saw some bohol kalamay peddled near the Port of Jagna but he didn't buy there on advise of his friend and instead led him to a home/factory along the highway, also in Jagna, called Ching's Calamay, one of the more famous makers of the Bohol pasalubong in coconut shells.



The owner of the calamay factory allowed Tutubi to enter her home factory to take pictures of her sweet creations. Tutubi just missed the actual pouring of the hot syrupy calamay on the coconut shells but it's still quite warm when he got there.

Newly-poured calamay syrup on coconut shells.

How to make Bohol Kalamay? It's just cooking ingredients (rice, coconut milk, sugar) in a large wok until syrupy consistency. Pour on half coconut shells to cool down and settle before stacking another half shell on top of another and seal with paper with adhesive.

Price of bohol calamay is just PhP50.00 with or without peanuts and also in ube (purple yam) flavor.



*Ching's Calamay is open from 4am to 8pm daily

Of course, this is not a sponsored post. Tutubi paid for his sugar-fixing bohol calamay. bought a handful as pasalubong to family and officemates

Labels: Bohol, Central Visayas, Pasalubong

Information for bus commuters via Baliwag Transit. It's a bus company that plies routes as far north as Aparri, not just limited to Baliuag, Bulacan

Baliwag Transit
Contact Numbers: +63.2.3633579; +63.2.3634331; +63.2.363.4478
Telephone Numbers: +63.2.912.3343; +63.2.912.3349; +63.2.912.3361


Baliwag Transit Passengers Terminals

EDSA, Cubao (north-bound near corner New York St)

Baliwag Transit Route and destinations

Manila:
Caloocan City
Cubao, Quezon City

Baliwag, Bulacan
Hagonoy, Bulacan
San Jose del Monte, Bulacan

Guagua, Pampanga
Clark, Pampanga (Expo Pilipino)

Jones, Isabela
Santiago City, Isabela

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

Solano, Nueva Vizcaya

Tarlac City, Tarlac

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

Please call Baliwag Transit telephone numbers or visit Baliwag Transit official website for current bus fares, routes, trip schedules (first and last trip), waybill/freight charges, discounts, ticket reservations et al

Related Posts:
Bus Stations in Pasay Taft corner Buendia
Bus Stations in Pasay Taft EDSA Rotonda
Cubao Bus Stations

Labels: Buses, Public Transportation